CCTV9英语新闻：中国军事战略白皮书发布

For more on the newly released Defense White Paper, we have our reporter Han Bin in the studio.

 

Q1: China has released a Defense White Paper every two years since 1998. Why is it named "China's Military Strategy" this time?

 

A1: Well, this is the first white paper relating to China's military thinking. It's a specialized document on the development, tasks, principles, contents, impacts and measures of military strategy. There have been some criticisms from western countries about a lack of transparency in China's military intentions. This paper aims to clarify this matter. This is the second time the military has issued a specialized paper. The previous one was in 2013, disclosing China's military deployment. According to the document, China believes that the security situation has been changing over the past years. The country is facing growing challenges on issues like regional security, sovereignty and terrorism. During a key CPC Plenary meeting in 2013, Party General Secretary Xi Jinping said the direction for military development is to perfect the Active Defense Strategy. And this paper is to explain how to do this, and what impact it has on the army. China believes that to best protect its national security is to take a more active approach. To build up a stronger army is not only to win a war, but also to effectively deter potential threats, and to avoid military confrontations. This is the best way to protect its national interests both at home and abroad. 

Q2:  What are the highlights of this white paper, and tell us what the key changes are?

A2: This document includes six parts, setting out military strategy from six dimensions: Security Situation, Strategic task, Active Defense, Military strength, military preparation, and Military Cooperation. China believes the security situation is on the whole stable, yet conflicts are occurring more frequently. Concerns come from areas like the US's re-balance to Asia, Japan's proactive defense policy, maritime sovereignty, interests overseas, as well as space and cyber security. The overall target is to establish a modern military system that can effectively deter threats and meet different functions. Under the new strategy, its land forces will have more flexibility; navy forces will be shifting to a combination of coastal defense with defensive capabilities in deep seas. The air focus is on both the sky and space, and its strategic nuclear forces will strengthen technology. The paper also details what security products the army can provide for world security and peace. This paper is the latest reference point for China's military thinking behind all its activities.